Tel Aviv Diary - November 23-27, 2009 Karen Alkalay-Gut
November 23, 2009
Iran may be shooting off rockets, Hamas may be declaring it won't throw any more katyushas for the next week, Gilad Shalit may be coming home soon... But I am totally overwhelmed by a puppy who is full of energy and doesn't leave us any peace. Our old Shusha is as exhausted as we are.
It's amazing how we can be diverted from significant events by personal ones. Some people think the whole Shalit issue is a question of personal considerations. That he should be sacrificed for the sake of the country. "The 450 people they are trading Shalit for," Shulamit tells me, "not only have blood on their hands, they're in blood up to their ears. It endangers the entire country to free Shalit." For me freeing one soul liberates me, even if it endangers me. But the issue I think is one of trust. How can I trust my son to the army unless I know they back him up?
Nevertheless, if any one has any idea of someone who wants a puppy, please let me know!!!!
November 24, 2009
Although I never seem to have much luck in tracing down what happened to my relatives in the Holocaust and whether anyone survived, "Jewish Gen" has been am important site for me, helping me recreate the existence of those that disappeared all at once. Now they're in trouble, and need donations. I'm giving. . Speaking of tradition, I'm back to bellydancing again. The music: Hakim mostly. The style: Egyptian. I can't think of anything more enjoyable. November 25, 2009 Just as I was feeling totally recovered from the flu, my ingrown toenail reached a crisis state. Thank goodness for the divine Dr. Lapidot in Herzlia, who just takes a look at Ezi and grabs the can of dry ice. Although sometimes dry ice is not enough. Anyway I had my toe lazared and I'll be up and running by tomorrow. But I think I've written about Dr. Lapidot before. It was in his office that I first discovered the importance of tattoo removal to Ethiopian women. It was in his office that I saw an amazing Philip Rantzer composition. It was in his office that I discovered that women my age look good because of restylane. He has saved Ezi's skin time and again, and if you're looking for a skin doctor, I highly recommend him. For the second day in a row Exi exclaimed in wonder, "I can't believe that there are people who don't want to exchange prisoners for Gilad Shalit." He had been listening to radio on the way home, I'm sure, and hearing people - experts and kooks alike - saying that released prisoners with blood on our hands will endanger our lives and we should not trust them. But I would be more scared if I sent soldiers into battle who didn't know their country would back them if they got into trouble. November 26, 2009 Eid Al-Adha, Thanksgiving, and a possible new home for Kutya. What rejoicing! This promises to be a good shabbat. November 27, 2009 This is in memory of my friend Orna, who died yesterday.
The last time I saw you I knew it was the last
The last time I saw you I knew it was the last.
You asked for help but help was beyond asking.
What you really wanted was a will, a testament,
Something we would carry on for you after you were gone.
You were afraid, you said, but it was the fear of a bride
The night before the ceremony, the fear of becoming
Something else. And then you kissed us all, and we,
Silly virgins, thought your kiss meant you’d remain with us,
You asked for help and we helped: Our faith and hope
Enabled you to say goodbye, and with all my heart
I hope your last thoughts were wrapped in love.